Brian Ostertag graduated with a B.S. in Addiction Studies from City Vision University (CVC). Not long before, he was homeless and lived near a rescue mission that was a member of the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions (AGRM). One morning, he went in for breakfast and the man at the door told him about one of its programs. That night, at a chapel service, an invitation to join the program was announced. He entered the program that night.
For the next 21 months, he participated in the rescue mission’s program. Afterward, he was hired as supervisor for the emergency shelter, then became case manager for the residential treatment program. Brian says, “During this time, I began studying for a psychology degree from a major university. At the same time, I was encouraged to work on my chemical dependency license. [Then] one of the staff told me about City Vision University.”
Fortunately, Brian learned that CVC offered the classes he needed to obtain a chemical dependency license. “Since I was already attending school and working full-time, the online format appealed to me. It offered me the opportunity to manage my classes and make my own schedule. So the ability to manage my time and the offer of classes I needed both appealed to me.”
Brian wants to continue working with people, and he believes the education he received through CVC gives him a “better skills set” and a “higher quality of service to those [he] works with.”
This testimonial was given in 2012.
[Edited May 2015; updated the institution’s name]